CHAPTER 495: A FRACTURED ALLIANCE

Lauretta's face hardened as she listened to Victor Russo's. The man who had posed as an ally now stood before her; his intentions laid bare like an unsheathed knife. "You really thought I'd help you out of the goodness of my heart?" Victor sneered, a cold smile playing on his lips. "I've waited too long to let this opportunity slip by." Lauretta's hands clenched into fists at her sides. She had trusted him, or at least believed they shared a common enemy. Now, she faced the grim reality that Victor was no better than Alexander. "You think you can control the company?" Lauretta shot back, her voice trembling with anger though she was still afraid. "You're just as deluded as he is." Victor's smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I have resources you can't even dream of, Lauretta. Once Alexander is out of the way, this whole empire will be mine." Lauretta's mind raced. She couldn't let Victor take over. He was just as ruthless, maybe even more so. She had to act quickly, but